Studies of Seismic Reservoir Characterization

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineral Exploration Methods and Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (16 December 2021) | Viewed by 24810

Special Issue Editors

Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, Villavägen 16, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden
Interests: reflection seismic method, seismic monitoring, geological storage of CO2; subsurface energy storage;AVO attribute analysis; seismic reservoir characterization; seismic-while-drilling technology;
College of Geo-exploration Science and Technology, Jilin University, Changchun 130026, China
Interests: reflection seismic method; full waveform inversion; seismic interferometry; passive and active seismic data imaging; geological storage of CO2; seismic reservoir characterization; time-lapse seismic monitoring

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Seismic reservoir characterization plays an essential role in integrated reservoir studies with applications from prospect identification to detailed reservoir delineation. Reservoir simulations that are based on accurately developed static reservoir models are of a significant value in developing, monitoring, and managing a reservoir.

Seismic data provide an excellent image of structure and stratigraphy, and can be inverted to provide a quantitative interpretation of porosity, lithology, and litho-fluid facies. To improve the accuracy of reservoir property assessment and minimise the uncertainties, considerable attention needs to be placed in generating good quality seismic data, in selecting the most suitable seismic inversion method, and in the integration of multiple domain data (well data, seismic attributes and prestack seismic) for the calibration and interpretation phases.

In this special issue we seek papers that demonstrate the use of a variety of best-practices and key technologies for seismic reservoir characterization. Research that applies cutting-edge technologies and novel techniques in constraining reservoir models with seismic information, including detailed case studies, is of special interest.

Dr. Monika Ivandic
Dr. Fengjiao Zhang
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • reservoir characterization
  • seismic inversion
  • seismic attribute analysis
  • synthetic seismic modelling
  • well-logs
  • seismic interpretation
  • seismic pore pressure prediction

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Editorial

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2 pages, 157 KiB  
Editorial
Editorial for the Special Issue: “Studies of Seismic Reservoir Characterization”
by Fengjiao Zhang and Monika Ivandic
Minerals 2022, 12(9), 1133; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/min12091133 - 06 Sep 2022
Viewed by 861
Abstract
Seismic reservoir characterization plays an essential role in the study of integrated reservoirs, with applications from prospect identification to detailed reservoir delineation [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Studies of Seismic Reservoir Characterization)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

23 pages, 54525 KiB  
Article
2D and 3D Seismic Survey for Sandstone-Type Uranium Deposit and Its Prediction Patterns, Erlian Basin, China
by Qubo Wu, Yanchun Wang, Ziying Li, Baoping Qiao, Xiang Yu, Weichuan Huang, Chengyin Cao, Ziwei Li, Ziqiang Pan and Yucheng Huang
Minerals 2022, 12(5), 559; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/min12050559 - 29 Apr 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2110
Abstract
The Erlian basin is one of the most important basins in northern China to host sandstone-type uranium deposits (SUDs), in which Bayanwula, Saihangaobi, and Hadatu are under development, to name a few. Issues such as the metallogenic mechanism and mineralization of these deposits [...] Read more.
The Erlian basin is one of the most important basins in northern China to host sandstone-type uranium deposits (SUDs), in which Bayanwula, Saihangaobi, and Hadatu are under development, to name a few. Issues such as the metallogenic mechanism and mineralization of these deposits need to be addressed throughout the mining process. Over the past several decades, 2D and 3D seismic reflection surveys have been carried out to study these typical SUDs. The seismic technique has become the most effective geophysical tool of uranium (U) exploration, and it is used to develop our understanding of the stratigraphic configuration, faults, and sandstone contents of target layers in uranium environments. In addition, seismic interpretation could yield useful suggestions regarding the subsequent drilling program in the work area. There are two seismically predictable patterns of SUDs, named “Big depression + fault” and “Large-angle unconformity + fault”, which have been established following detailed seismic research in this basin. The characteristics of these faults are as follows: (1) the “‘U’-shaped formation” is conducive to the inflow of O-U-bearing groundwater into the target sandstone; (2) the “Big depression of reductive formation” provides plenty of organic matter (containing reducing media and U pre-enrichment) to promote redox reaction mineralization; (3) “Large-angle unconformity” is favorable to the migration of reducing substances, consequently leading to an enhancement in redox U mineralization; (4) “faults with long-term activity” become rising channels for reducing the presence of fluids and gases at depth; and (5) “sandstone and its scrambled seismic facies”. The results also offer indirect evidence of a connection between hydrothermal fluids and U mineralization; a hypothesis of “hydrothermal effusion” mineralization is proposed accordingly. In conclusion, seismically produced images of geological structures and sandstone distribution could yield important information for U prospecting and mine planning; it is worth considering seismic technologies in the future exploration of SUDs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Studies of Seismic Reservoir Characterization)
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19 pages, 6903 KiB  
Article
Sedimentary Facies Controls for Reservoir Quality Prediction of Lower Shihezi Member-1 of the Hangjinqi Area, Ordos Basin
by Aqsa Anees, Hucai Zhang, Umar Ashraf, Ren Wang, Kai Liu, Ayesha Abbas, Zaheen Ullah, Xiaonan Zhang, Lizeng Duan, Fengwen Liu, Yang Zhang, Shucheng Tan and Wanzhong Shi
Minerals 2022, 12(2), 126; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/min12020126 - 21 Jan 2022
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 2987
Abstract
The tight gas reserves in the Hangjinqi area are estimated at 700 × 109 m3. Since the exploration of the Hangjinqi, numerous wells are already drilled. However, the Hangjinqi remains an exploration area and has yet to become a gas field. [...] Read more.
The tight gas reserves in the Hangjinqi area are estimated at 700 × 109 m3. Since the exploration of the Hangjinqi, numerous wells are already drilled. However, the Hangjinqi remains an exploration area and has yet to become a gas field. Identifying a paleo-depositional framework such as braided channels is beneficial for exploration and production companies. Further, braided channels pose drilling risks and must be properly identified prior to drilling. Henceforth, based on the significance of paleochannels, this study is focused on addressing the depositional framework and sedimentary facies of the first member (P2x1) of the lower Shihezi formation (LSF) for reservoir quality prediction. Geological modeling, seismic attributes, and petrophysical modeling using cores, logs, interval velocities, and 3D seismic data are employed. Geological modeling is conducted through structural maps, thickness map, and sand-ratio map, which show that the northeastern region is uplifted compared to northwestern and southern regions. The sand-ratio map showed that sand is accumulated in most of the regions within member-1. Interval velocities are incorporated to calibrate the acoustic impedance differences of mudstone and sandstone lithologies, suggesting that amplitude reflection is reliable and amplitude-dependent seismic attributes can be employed. The Root Mean Square (RMS) attribute confirmed the presence of thick-bedded braided channels. The results of cores and logging also confirmed the presence of braided channels and channel-bars. The test results of wells J34 and J72 shows that the reservoir quality within member-1 of LSF is favorable for gas production within the Hangjinqi area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Studies of Seismic Reservoir Characterization)
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27 pages, 7738 KiB  
Article
Sedimentary Characteristics Analysis and Sedimentary Facies Prediction of Jurassic Strata in the Northwest Margin of Junggar Basin—Covering the W105 Well Region in the Wuerhe Area
by Shiqi Liu and Yuyang Liu
Minerals 2022, 12(1), 68; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/min12010068 - 05 Jan 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1671
Abstract
As the northwestern area of the Junggar Basin is a key area for oil and gas exploration, the sedimentary facies of the Jurassic formations in the Wuerhe area has long been a focus of research. The target strata are Jurassic strata, including five [...] Read more.
As the northwestern area of the Junggar Basin is a key area for oil and gas exploration, the sedimentary facies of the Jurassic formations in the Wuerhe area has long been a focus of research. The target strata are Jurassic strata, including five formations: the Lower Jurassic Badaowan and Sangonghe, the Middle Jurassic Xishanyao and Toutunhe and the Upper Jurassic Qigu. Disputes over the are sedimentary facies division exist in this area. Considering the W105 well region in this area as an example, the overall sedimentary facies of single-well logging facies is analyzed and then expanded to two cross-sections and characterized. Based on previous studies, a detailed overview of the regional stratigraphy is obtained by well logs and other data. Then, two cross-sections are selected and analyzed. The single-well and continuous-well facies of 10 wells in the sections are analyzed to grasp the sand bodies’ spatial distribution. Finally, a planar contour map of the net to gross ratio is mapped to analyze the sources and the distribution of the sand bodies in each period. The sedimentary facies map is also mapped to predict the sedimentary evolution. The results show that the sedimentary facies of the Badaowan Formation in the study area was an underwater distributary channel of the fan-delta front, and the sand body spread continuously from northwest to southeast. The Sangonghe Formation entered a lake transgression period with a rising water level, at which time shore–shallow lacustrine deposits were widespread throughout the region. The period of the Xishanyao Formation entered a regression period, the northwest region was tectonically uplifted, and the central and southeastern regions facies were dominated by the fan-delta front and shallow lacustrine. During the Toutunhe Formation period, the northwest region continued to uplift and was dominated by delta plain facies. During the period of the Qigu Formation, the thickness of stratigraphic erosion reached its maximum, and the non-erosion area of the study area was mainly deposited by the fan-delta plain. Overall, the Jurassic system in the W105 well area is a fan delta–lacustrine–fan delta sedimentary system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Studies of Seismic Reservoir Characterization)
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15 pages, 9690 KiB  
Article
Multisource Seismic Full Waveform Inversion of Metal Ore Bodies
by Fengjiao Zhang, Pan Zhang, Zhuo Xu, Xiangbo Gong and Liguo Han
Minerals 2022, 12(1), 4; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/min12010004 - 21 Dec 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2520
Abstract
The seismic exploration method could explore deep metal ore bodies (depth > 1000 m). However, it is difficult to describe the geometry of the complex metal ore body accurately. Seismic full waveform inversion is a relatively new method to achieve accurate imaging of [...] Read more.
The seismic exploration method could explore deep metal ore bodies (depth > 1000 m). However, it is difficult to describe the geometry of the complex metal ore body accurately. Seismic full waveform inversion is a relatively new method to achieve accurate imaging of subsurface structures, but its success requires better initial models and low-frequency data. The seismic data acquired in the metal mine area is usually difficult to meet the requirements of full waveform inversion. The passive seismic data usually contains good low frequency information. In this paper, we use both passive and active seismic datasets to improve the full waveform inversion results in the metal mining area. The results show that the multisource seismic full waveform inversion could obtain a suitable result for high-resolution seismic imaging of metal ore bodies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Studies of Seismic Reservoir Characterization)
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11 pages, 3164 KiB  
Article
Concealed-Fault Detection in Low-Amplitude Tectonic Area—An Example of Tight Sandstone Reservoirs
by Enli Wang, Junduo Zhang, Guoliang Yan, Qing Yang, Wanjin Zhao, Chunhui Xie and Run He
Minerals 2021, 11(10), 1122; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/min11101122 - 13 Oct 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1349
Abstract
Fault detection is important to seismic interpretation, especially for tight oil and gas reservoirs. Generally speaking, large-scale faults can be accurately imaged and are easy to detect by conventional methods, but the concealed ones in low-amplitude structural regions are difficult to find. In [...] Read more.
Fault detection is important to seismic interpretation, especially for tight oil and gas reservoirs. Generally speaking, large-scale faults can be accurately imaged and are easy to detect by conventional methods, but the concealed ones in low-amplitude structural regions are difficult to find. In these areas, the scale and displacement of concealed faults are usually very small. Due to the good uniform and weak amplitude disturbances in the seismic events, the traditional discontinuity attributes extracted from seismic data are always not effective. This is because the discontinuous features of large faults are very significant, and the weak anomalies caused by hidden faults are very close to the continuous background. This paper takes a tight sandstone reservoir in the Ordos Basin of China as an example to explore the detection method of subtle faults in low-amplitude structural areas. With the phase congruency analysis method, we extract edge features from the post-stack coherence attributes to identify hidden faults. Practice shows that this idea has outstanding performance in mining hidden fracture features and improving the accuracy of fracture recognition. The results successfully predict a shear fault zone in the northeast of the work area, find a new fracture zone in the center of the survey and a series of hidden faults in non-target strata. It would be beneficial to extend the strata and area of oil and gas reservoirs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Studies of Seismic Reservoir Characterization)
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17 pages, 5046 KiB  
Article
Study on the 3D Sedimentary Characteristics of Sandstone Type Uranium Reservoir Based on 3D Seismic Attribute
by Zhangqing Sun, Yaguang Liu, Fuxing Han, Fengjiao Zhang, Xiyang Ou, Minqiang Cao, Anguai Lei, Songlin Yang, Mingchen Liu and Zhenghui Gao
Minerals 2021, 11(10), 1096; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/min11101096 - 06 Oct 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1555
Abstract
It is of great significance to quickly obtain the sedimentary characteristics of sandstone type uranium reservoir for guiding prospecting sandstone type uranium deposits. In order to solve this problem, a method based on the extraction and optimization of 3D seismic attributes is proposed. [...] Read more.
It is of great significance to quickly obtain the sedimentary characteristics of sandstone type uranium reservoir for guiding prospecting sandstone type uranium deposits. In order to solve this problem, a method based on the extraction and optimization of 3D seismic attributes is proposed. The target stratum of the uranium reservoir is accurately located by using the gamma and acoustic logging data together. The well seismic calibration for the uranium reservoir is carried out by making full use of the logging and seismic data. The high-density fine horizon tracking is implemented for the top, bottom, and obvious adjacent interfaces of the target stratum. Various seismic attributes along the target interface are extracted using stratigraphic slices. Analyzing the consistency between the results obtained by various seismic attributes and drilling data, the one that can best characterize the sedimentary characteristics of the target uranium reservoir is selected as the optimal seismic attribute. The sedimentary and its evolutionary characteristics of the target uranium reservoir are obtained by extracting the above optimal seismic attribute. A case study shows that we can obtain the 3D sedimentary characteristics of the target uranium reservoir fast and efficiently using the method based on the 3D seismic attribute. They can be used for providing important reference information for the exploration of sandstone type uranium deposits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Studies of Seismic Reservoir Characterization)
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22 pages, 15813 KiB  
Article
Pre-Stack Seismic Data-Driven Pre-Salt Carbonate Reef Reservoirs Characterization Methods and Application
by Xingda Tian, Handong Huang, Jun Gao, Yaneng Luo, Jing Zeng, Gang Cui and Tong Zhu
Minerals 2021, 11(9), 973; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/min11090973 - 07 Sep 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2384
Abstract
Carbonate reservoirs have significant reserves globally, but the substantial heterogeneity brings intractable difficulties to exploration. In the work area, the thick salt rock reduces the resolution of pre-salt seismic signals and increases the difficulty of reservoir characterization. Therefore, this paper proposes to utilize [...] Read more.
Carbonate reservoirs have significant reserves globally, but the substantial heterogeneity brings intractable difficulties to exploration. In the work area, the thick salt rock reduces the resolution of pre-salt seismic signals and increases the difficulty of reservoir characterization. Therefore, this paper proposes to utilize wavelet frequency decomposition technology to depict the seismic blank reflection area’s signal and improve the pre-salt signal’s resolution. The high-precision pre-stack inversion based on Bayesian theory makes full use of information from various angles and simultaneously inverts multiple elastic parameters, effectively depicting reservoirs with substantial heterogeneity. Integrating the high-precision inversion results and the Kuster-Toksöz model, a porosity prediction method is proposed. The inversion results are consistent with the drilling rock samples and well-logging porosity results. Moreover, the reef’s accumulation and growth, which conform to the geological information, proves the accuracy of the above methods. This paper also discusses the seismic reflection characteristics of reefs and the influence of different lithological reservoirs on the seismic waveform response characteristics through forward modeling, which better proves the rationality of porosity inversion results. It provides a new set of ideas for future pre-salt carbonate reef reservoirs’ prediction and characterization methods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Studies of Seismic Reservoir Characterization)
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16 pages, 9162 KiB  
Article
Wavefield Decomposition-Based Direct Envelope Inversion and Structure-Guided Perturbation Decomposition for Salt Building
by Pan Zhang, Liguo Han, Fengjiao Zhang, Qiang Feng and Xue Chen
Minerals 2021, 11(9), 919; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/min11090919 - 25 Aug 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1183
Abstract
Due to the large-scale and strong perturbation features of salt bodies, it is very difficult to complete a good salt building with the conventional full waveform inversion (FWI) method without low-frequency data and prior information. The direct envelope inversion (DEI) method is quite [...] Read more.
Due to the large-scale and strong perturbation features of salt bodies, it is very difficult to complete a good salt building with the conventional full waveform inversion (FWI) method without low-frequency data and prior information. The direct envelope inversion (DEI) method is quite effective for salt building when seismic data lack low-frequency information. However, in the current DEI studies, the calculation of the envelope field, which needs a nonlinear envelope operator, does not consider the influences of wavefield overlapping, and the inversion quality of subsalt areas needs further improvements. In this paper, we analyze the effects of wavefield overlapping on envelope field calculation and propose a new envelope field calculation method based on wavefield decomposition. Then, we propose a wavefield decomposition-based direct envelope inversion (WDDEI) method, in which the gradient is calculated using the new envelope field. To improve the inversion quality of subsalt structures, we propose a structure-guided perturbation decomposition method, which can separate the strong scattering salt information from the DEI results with the help of reverse time migration images. Finally, numerical tests are conducted on a modified SEG/EAGE salt model to demonstrate the effectiveness and the antinoise performance of the proposed method. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Studies of Seismic Reservoir Characterization)
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18 pages, 10539 KiB  
Article
Seismic Data Interpretation and Identification of Hydrocarbon-Bearing Zones of Rajian Area, Pakistan
by Naveed Ahmad, Sikandar Khan, Eisha Fatima Noor, Zhihui Zou and Abdullatif Al-Shuhail
Minerals 2021, 11(8), 891; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/min11080891 - 18 Aug 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 6150
Abstract
The present study interprets the subsurface structure of the Rajian area using seismic sections and the identification of hydrocarbon-bearing zones using petrophysical analysis. The Rajian area lies within the Upper Indus Basin in the southeast (SE) of the Salt Range Potwar Foreland Basin. [...] Read more.
The present study interprets the subsurface structure of the Rajian area using seismic sections and the identification of hydrocarbon-bearing zones using petrophysical analysis. The Rajian area lies within the Upper Indus Basin in the southeast (SE) of the Salt Range Potwar Foreland Basin. The marked horizons are identified using formation tops from two vertical wells. Seismic interpretation of the given 2D seismic data reveals that the study area has undergone severe distortion illustrated by thrusts and back thrusts, forming a triangular zone within the subsurface. The final trend of those structures is northwest–southeast (NW–SE), indicating that the area is part of the compressional regime. The zones interpreted by the study of hydrocarbon potential include Sakessar limestone and Khewra sandstone. Due to the unavailability of a petrophysics log within the desired investigation depths, lithology cross-plots were used for the identification of two potential hydrocarbon-bearing zones in one well at depths of 3740–3835 m (zone 1) and 4015–4100 m (zone 2). The results show that zone 2 is almost devoid of hydrocarbons, while zone 1 has an average hydrocarbon saturation of about 11%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Studies of Seismic Reservoir Characterization)
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